Decameron Baru - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

5205 reviews

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  Nice spa and location, but overall overpriced for the experience

  The hotel has a beautiful natural setting and the spa was definitely the highlight of the stay — relaxing atmosphere, good facilities, and attentive service. It’s a great place to disconnect if you’re mainly looking for rest and beach time. However, overall the experience feels overpriced for what it offers. There is little differentiation between standard and plus categories, which affects the perceived value. Rooms are comfortable but could benefit from better maintenance and upgraded amenities. Food and beverage quality is inconsistent. Meal schedules are limited, which can leave gaps during the day, and the restaurant reservation system is not very convenient. The VIP snacks and drinks did not meet expectations. Service is generally polite, but operational aspects like check-in times and internal organization could be more efficient. The resort feels safe and clean overall, although signage and walkability could be improved in some areas. In summary, a nice place with strong potential and an excellent spa, but pricing should better match the overall experience delivered.

  Feb 24, 2026
• 

  Great stay

  We really enjoyed the hotel. The main benefit is the beautiful beach compared to the beaches in Cartagena. Both the service and food was very good as was the 3 main pools.

  Feb 18, 2026
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  Ricardo front desk

  I would like to say a big thank you to Ricardo on the front desk. Ricardo has great people skills and a fantastic personality. He has helped us out on a few dealings with wifi and questions that we had. Ricardo is a truly valuable person to have on your team. Thank you Ricardo

  Feb 17, 2026
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  Good place for a relaxing vacation

  Hard to rate as the unexpected rain kind of took a toll on our vacation but the food was decent at the buffet. Excellent at the a la cartes. As an English speaker with only a little Spanish the staff was great at helping and not getting overly frustrated with us. The beach is very nice. The hotel is a little dated but we'll maintained. We had a broken safe and a few things missing during the week that were quickly resolved. Its a nice hotel. We will likely come back in the future.

  Feb 07, 2026
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  Not worth the price. Major issues with charges, service, and transparency

  We chose Decameron Barú based on reviews and photos, but the experience was deeply frustrating and not relaxing, especially given the cost. The most serious issue happened at check-in. We prepaid our entire stay through Expedia, including an extra guest, totaling close to $10,000. Despite showing the hotel our Expedia receipts confirming all guests were already paid for, we were told they would not honor the prepaid extra guest and were required to pay an additional $1,277 on the spot or we would not be allowed to check in. The resort is about two hours from the airport, and we were already on site with family and luggage, leaving no realistic alternative. We paid under pressure simply to avoid being denied lodging we had already paid for. To make matters worse, the hotel issued a non-itemized receipt under another person’s name. When we asked for it to be corrected, they refused. This immediately created distrust and set the tone for the entire stay. Getting to the resort itself should have been disclosed upfront. The final ~20 minutes of the drive is on an unpaved dirt and gravel road, which feels completely inconsistent with how this property is marketed. The resort grounds and pools are nice, but operations feel outdated. Pools open at 10am and close around 7pm, and the beach closes at 6pm, which is surprisingly restrictive. There is no poolside drink service, cocktails are not available at the buffet, and drinks are mostly premixed and poorly executed. Classic cocktails are generally not possible. Food was mixed. The buffet was okay, but the à la carte restaurants were disappointing. The Italian restaurant served pizza made on what was essentially a cracker crust from a wood-fired oven, which was genuinely bad. Playa Puntilla access was another point of confusion. We were told different things by different staff: first that it was included, then that it was not, and then that access required sitting through a sales presentation and providing passports. The inconsistency felt uncomfortable and unprofessional. Our room had a missing security latch and getting towels depended on tipping the cleaning people. Phone in room to call front desk did not work. There are no activities after 7pm, and since pools are closed, after dinner there is literally nothing to do. The beach looks sandy, but the water entry is very rocky, making swimming unpleasant without water shoes. The staff themselves are mostly kind and friendly, and this review is not about individual employees. The problem is the system: unclear policies, inconsistent information, surprise charges, and a lack of guest-focused problem solving. Even basic requests seemed to depend on tipping rather than standard service. Overall, this resort may work for travelers with low expectations or those who prioritize quiet scenery over service. However, if you are used to modern all-inclusive resorts, this will feel like a significant downgrade. Between the unexpected charges, poor transparency, and constant friction, we were unable to relax and would not return.

  Feb 02, 2026